Running your own business has many perks, but what happens when a chronic illness forces you to rethink everything?

Author and speaker Stefan Thomas has ulcerative colitis—an autoimmune condition that affects the bowel, causing pain, fatigue, and frequent (often urgent) trips to the bathroom during flare-ups.

In this episode, he shares how he’s adapted his business to better manage his condition—including creating online versions of his in-person offerings. Plus, how opening up about his experiences online unexpectedly turned him into a social media influencer, raising awareness of life with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

You’ll also hear about his journey from estate agent to speaker and get valuable tips on landing speaking gigs and other opportunities to help grow your business.

Key Moments

00:03:35 How Stefan accidentally fell into public speaking (via networking) 

00:09:01 Why it’s important to market to clients who can actually afford you 

00:19:20 How Stefan’s previous career as an estate agent helped him in business

00:28:15 Nurturing existing business connections - and why it’s a smart marketing strategy 

00:34:36 Tips for getting hired by event organisers (and what to avoid) 

00:44:06 A clever marketing strategy Stefan uses to stay top of mind with clients

00:46:23 How Stefan repurposes his speaking content to attract new business 

00:49:19 Living and working with ulcerative colitis: the adjustments Stefan has made to manage his health whilst running a business

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When Rachel Spencer found herself struggling to breathe - as if something was crushing down on her chest - she knew something had to change.. 

She’d just received the news that a friend had passed away suddenly - which was devastating enough. But the news followed a serious of personal challenges, that included bereavement, ill health and the breakdown of a 10 year relationship 

In this episode of the Courageous Podcast, Rachel shares how she navigated this challenging period in her life. And how being brave enough to step away from everything but the necessary tasks in her business, for a time, was essential for her recovery. 

Key Moments

00:02:39 The Bridget Jones quote that summs up what Rachel was going through

00:05:40 What Rachel decided to stop doing in her business when crisis hit

00:11:59 How self-care helped Rachel to push through hard times

00:19:33 The need for contingency funds and other streams of income

00:25:40 How to manage client communication while protecting your personal time

00:35:56 Rachel’s business mistakes and what she’s learned from them

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Tim Lewis had been married to his wife Rachel for just a few years when she suffered a life-changing stroke. And as her health deteriorated, Tim began to lead a double life - an IT guy in financial services by day and caring for his wife by night. 

When his wife sadly passed away, Tim found solace in his work at first - but soon found himself compelled to find a more fulfilling career. But it still took more than a year to find the courage to leave. 

In this episode of the Courageous podcast, Tim shares his experience of losing his wife, early in their marriage. And how he found the courage to find a new and more fulfilling career as an author and podcaster.

Key Moments

00:02:13 The moment when Tim’s life changed forever

00:09:50 Grief, trauma, and their influence on men’s mental health

00:20:59 Tim on his bold move to change his career path

00:29:59 The book that made Tim consider a writing career

00:36:30 Being cornered - and how it sharpens entreprenurial skills

00:44:10 Networking advice: What Tim learnt from his experiences

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Book Chat Live

Tim Lewis’s books: 

Timeshock: I Want My Life Back

Social Media Networking: How to Use Social Media to Get the Job You Want, Find Love, Get Business Success and Boost Your Travel

Universities are the home of free speech, critical thinking & robust debate, right? 

Not for student Connie Shaw who was recently suspended from Leeds University Student Radio because of her personal views. 

While the reasons for her suspension have not yet been made clear, she believes it’s because of her gender critical views i.e. she believes there are two sexes - male and female - and that the notion of ‘gender identity’ does not exist. And she’s passionate about protecting women’s sex-based rights to safe spaces, fairness in sport (and all aspects of life) … along with sex-based language. 

While twenty-year-old Connie does not have a business (yet) she is a courageous leader. Because she’s willing to stand up for what she believes in - even if it makes her unpopular. Which means there is much to learn from this conversation - both for business and life. 

And here’s the thing. 

It shouldn’t feel courageous for me to share this conversation between two women - twenty years apart - who share a passion for protecting women’s sex-based rights - and the language used to describe them. 

And yet it does. 

And regardless of whether you agree/disagree with what you hear in this discussion - the right to freedom of expression is the most valuable thing we have. And something I believe we must protect - at all costs. 

Key Moments

00:03:04 Why Connie was suspended from the position of daytime editor on Leeds Student Radio

00:13:19 The erosion of women’s sex-based rights - and why not enough people are taking about it 

00:25:44 A gender-critical stance: Connie’s unfiltered beliefs 

00:34:34 Erasing ‘woman’ - the controversy around women’s sex-based language 

00:41:22 Why Connie believes biological men should not compete in women’s sporting categories and awards 

00:51:41 Why being called bigoted doesn’t hurt Connie 

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Connie Shaw’s podcast: The Fringe

Connie Shaw’s X

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We’re far more comfortable talking about mental health than we used to be - which is a good thing. But the word ‘depression’ is now often used to describe feeling sad or ‘down’ - which is not the same as clinical depression. 

In this interview, you’ll hear from entrepreneur Mike Morrison on how he’s built a successful business whilst managing clinical depression - including a depressive episode that lasted almost two years and left him unable to work or even get out of bed at times. 

We cover many topics in our discussion including how being ‘working class’ (and how it can impact your aspirations and attitudes to money), being in a job that sucks the life out of you along with relationship breakdowns (business and romantic). *** TW ***  We also, briefly, talk about suicide.  

Mike is a leading authority on building, growing and scaling online membership communities. 

Key Moments

00:10:47 Life at university - expectations vs. reality for Mike and his peers

00:15:41 How a working-class upbringing shaped Mike's money habits and perception

00:29:54 Dropping out of uni, first job experiences in sales and getting promoted

00:38:56 Mike’s overdose at the age 15 - and the impact on his mental health 

00:44:35 Why Mike thought he didn’t need therapy for depression

00:48:59 How Mike manages anxiety and depression

00:54:38 How gaming helped Mike emerge from a two-year depressive episode 

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The Membership Growth Conference

Membership Geeks on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

When Lizi Jackson-Barrett started a business community for Jewish business owners she found herself on the receiving end of criticism and anti-semitic abuse. 

In this interview, Lizi shares why she decided to start the Jewish Business Network - and how she’s stayed positive - despite the negativity she has experienced.  And what it’s like to be a British Jew in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. 

Key Moments

00:04:00 What it's like to be a British Jew in November 2024

00:14:24 The moment Lizi realised a Jewish business community was needed

00:19:27 Upsetting messages Lizi received after she announced the Jewish Business Network

00:28:28 The Build-A-Bear Hanukkah bear- and how it led to anti-Semitic abuse

00:34:21 Authenticity in business and why it’s risky for Jews

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Dealing with the loss of a parent can be tough for anyone to handle. When you run your own business even more so - because you there’s no paid compassionate leave to fall back on. And you can’t just hand your clients/commitments over to someone else until you’re feeling ready to face the world. In this episode of the Courageous podcast, you’ll hear from Communications Consultants Lucy Davies - who has lost both her parents over the past few years - and shares her experience in this interview (along with practical strategies to help). 

Key Moments

00:01:53 The emotional and practical challenges of balancing work and caring for ill family members

00:06:23 How Lucy's father's illness affected her consultancy and client relationships

00:09:04 What Lucy learned about safeguarding her business after her father's passing

00:17:09 How certain memories and moments can unexpectedly evoke strong emotions

00:21:10 The impact of stepping into a caring role on Lucy's self-identity

00:23:21 How Lucy is now protecting her business and income streams for the future

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A good business partnership can be an absolute joy. You can combine your unique strengths and talents - and navigate the journey together (including the obstacles and challenges). 

But bad business partnership can also cost you - both financially and emotionally - something entrepreneur Sophie Milliken learned the hard way. In this episode of the Courageous podcast, she shares what she learned (and how it’s helped her build the business she has today). 

Key Moments

00:05:52 The chance conversation on a train that led Sophie to leave her corporate role at John Lewis and start a business 

00:07:55 Garage sales, car washing and paper rounds: Sophie’s early signs of entrepreneurship 

00:13:03 Why Sophie believes business is like a game of Snakes & Leaders

00:21:18 Dealing with divorce with a 2-year-old and a brand new business

00:29:50 Doing business with good people: How Sophie parted ways with her first business partner

00:32:10 Why Sophie thinks she was groomed to sell her the business + all the red flags

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Sophie Milliken’s book 

I’m back with a brand new season (and a new name) for my podcast. 

After almost ten years of podcasting, I was kind of bored of the sound of my own voice. 

And of listening to interviews with business owners about how brilliant they are... 

When what I really wanted to hear about was the mistakes and messy bits …

I also really wanted to get back to my 'journalism' roots. And my favourite thing ever - doing in-depth profile interviews.

The first season of interviews covers everything from getting screwed over by a business partner, trying to run a business after a bereavement, pausing a business 

after a relationship breakdown, coming back after a major depressive episode and more ... featuring Sophie Milliken, Lucy Davies, Lizi Jackson Barrett, Mike Morrison, Stefan Thomas, Tim Lewis, Rachel Spencer, Kerry Jordan and more. 

Find out what to expect from the Courageous podcast in this short trailer. 

Make sure you follow the Courageous podcast on your favourite podcast app - so you don't miss out when the new season lands and/or on any of the bonus episodes.

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There’s no easy way of saying this …But most client testimonials I see on websites (and on social media) make me feel SO frustrated. Because they totally ‘undersell’ the expertise of the business - and I feel sure they’re missing out on sales as a result. That aside, testimonials have a crucial role to play in building authority - so they’re missing a trick there too … 

In this episode of the Courageous CEO podcast, you’ll discover: 

• The link between thought leadership and testimonials 
• Why getting great testimonials starts way before you onboard a new client 
• The essential ingredients of effective testimonials

Key Links

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